Ye Olde Rocket Forum

Go Back   Ye Olde Rocket Forum > Work Bench > Building Techniques
User Name
Password
Auctions Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts Search Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-12-2022, 02:47 PM
slant-six slant-six is offline
Junior Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10
Default Question about Whee II construction

I want to build an Estes Design of the Month from 1965 called the Whee II. http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/eirp_34.htm

It calls for "splitting" a nose cone and hollowing it out to make a tail cone. I'm curious as to how you would cut it in half. I thought of a saw of some type, but wouldn't that remove enough wood to alter the shape when glued back together.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Alan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-12-2022, 03:14 PM
Earl's Avatar
Earl Earl is offline
Apollo Nut
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,893
Default

It would seem one could hollow out that size nose cone and 'bob' the tip without having to cut it in half. I think I'd try that first before sawing in half.

Earl
__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-12-2022, 05:14 PM
Chas Russell's Avatar
Chas Russell Chas Russell is offline
Retired Missile Technician
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,076
Default

https://www.balsamachining.com/#

Balsa Machinging Services has a tailcone with predrilled BT-20 size hole. OD is 1.673" and ID od the shoulder is 1.590. Easier to sand down to fit an Estes BT-60 instead of splitting a nose cone. Not sure of total length. You could contact Bill to see if they are available.

Chas
__________________
Charles Russell, MSgt,USAF (ret.)
NAR 9790, Lvl 1
SAM "Balls Three"
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-12-2022, 05:31 PM
jeffyjeep's Avatar
jeffyjeep jeffyjeep is offline
Old Submariner
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Home of Wayne & Garth
Posts: 7,760
Default

Instead of splitting a cone could it be bored with a Forstner bit?
__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-12-2022, 05:32 PM
LeeR's Avatar
LeeR LeeR is offline
Retired with Way Too Many Kits
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,222
Default

You want to use an X-acto knife to split a balsa cone. If you cannot cut all the way thru, start with X-acto and then go to sharp kitchen knife or pocket knife. The blade should be thin enough.
__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-12-2022, 08:04 PM
BARGeezer BARGeezer is offline
Avid Builder
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 610
Default

Find the grain line of the nose cone. Mark your cut line aligning it with the grain. It will make the cut much easier. Use a razor blade or hobby knife to make several passes in the wood to split it in two. Mark the areas to be hollowed out and use the tool of your choice: carving blade, gouging blade, chiseling blade, whatever. A regular hobby knife can be used by making long parallel cuts in the wood then "chipping out" the material. Then glue back together.
I did it to a much smaller Astron Streak nose cone when I was 13 yrs. old. If I can do it anyone can.
Good luck.
__________________
I like the unusual, the off beat, the avant-garde. No 3/4 FNC for me!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-12-2022, 09:54 PM
BEC's Avatar
BEC BEC is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Auburn, Washington
Posts: 3,643
Default

There used to be a blade that was about 3 inches long that fit the #5 X-acto handle. That's what one would have used to do this in 1965. Being aware of the grain as BARGeezer says is also a good idea, even without the great big blade.

The BMS BMS60V2B that Chas suggested would probably work. The V2 nose/tail cone isn't quite the same shape as the BNC-60L, but it would be pretty close, particularly if you use a Semroc BNC-60LV, which is much closer to the original BNC-60L shape than more recent ones.
__________________
Bernard Cawley
NAR 89040 L1 - Life Member
SAM 0061
AMA 42160
KG7AIE
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-13-2022, 12:26 AM
SEL's Avatar
SEL SEL is offline
Officially Middle-Aged Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,356
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEC
There used to be a blade that was about 3 inches long that fit the #5 X-acto handle. That's what one would have used to do this in 1965. Being aware of the grain as BARGeezer says is also a good idea, even without the great big blade.

.


That’s the blade I used to do this - worked reel good!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:  1703056A-FF1A-4506-B878-D032848EEB27.jpeg
Views: 46
Size:  43.9 KB  
__________________
SAM #0031
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-13-2022, 01:32 AM
Andy63 Andy63 is offline
BAR
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 74
Default

If you have a Dremel, there a several tips that would do this job.
__________________
Andrew A
NAR 33674
SAM 0139
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-13-2022, 05:39 AM
mojo1986's Avatar
mojo1986 mojo1986 is offline
Old Canuck Modeller
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kingston, CANADA
Posts: 2,160
Default

Cut it along the grain from both sides (180 degrees opposed) using a regular thin X-Acto blade. Meet roughly somewhere in the center. This doesn't have to be pretty since after scooping out the core you're going to glue the two halves back together. Someone mentioned a Dremel, and I would recommend one for the job. Handiest tool ever...........you'll find yourslf using it for all kinds of jobs, not just hobby work.



Joe
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Ye Olde Rocket Shoppe © 1998-2024